Kia Tasman vs Ford Ranger: Can the newcomer topple the king?

Kia’s Tasman ute has landed in Australia’s busy midsize ute market.

While new 4x4s seem to arrive every other week from brands few have heard of, the Tasman comes from Kia – one of Korea’s most respected automakers and already a popular brand with Aussie buyers. The company clearly hopes the Tasman will strengthen its appeal with ute-loving locals.

This existing fan base gives Kia a leg-up on other newcomers, many of which are starting from scratch in a fiercely competitive ute market. The Tasman, by contrast, arrives with the backing of an established brand and is positioned to take on some of the best-known 4×4 ute nameplates.

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While the Tasman is unlikely to trouble the Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux at the top of the sales charts just yet, it makes sense to line it up against the current best-seller and perennial favourite – Ford’s Ranger.

The standout in the Tasman line-up is the flagship X-Pro, the most 4×4-capable variant in the range. That extra ability comes at a price, with the X-Pro listed at $74,990 plus on-road costs. That’s V6 Ranger Wildtrak money, but for a closer match we’ve lined up four-cylinder against four-cylinder. In this case, it’s the top-spec bi-turbo Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak, priced at $69,890 plus on-road costs.

For context, a Toyota HiLux Rogue lists at $63,260 plus on-road costs, while the HiLux GR Sport can also be had for less than the Tasman X-Pro.

JUMP AHEAD

• What equipment do you get?
• Powertrains
• Chassis and suspension
• Off-road performance
• Verdict
• Specs

What equipment do you get?

As the flagship of the Tasman range, the X-Pro comes loaded with all the fruit:

Exterior and practical

• 17-inch alloy wheels with A/T tyres
• Roof rails
• Privacy glass
• Sunroof
• Full-size spare wheel
• Lights and GPO power outlet in tub
• Adjustable tie downs
• Rear fender flare storage (on colours with black flares)
• Fuel tank undercover protection

Interior and comfort

• Artificial leather-appointed seats
• Eight-way powered driver and passenger seats
• Heated seats – first row
• First row ventilated seats
• Second row heated seats
• Second row slide/reclining seats
• Second row under-seat storage
• Second row armrest
• Dual-zone climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Ambient mood lighting

Technology and safety

• LED headlights
• Front parking sensors
• Rear parking sensors
• Surround View Monitor
• Ground View Monitor
• Blind-spot View Monitor
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
• Highway Driving Assist 2
• Adaptive cruise control
• TPMS
• 2 x screens for driver cluster and multimedia
• Inbuilt satellite navigation
• Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity
• Wireless charger (double)
• Premium Harman Kardon sound system
• Power-folding side mirrors
• Paddle shifters
• Column-mounted transmission selector (instead of console T-bar)

Off-road hardware

• Driver-actuated locking rear differential
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Drive Mode Select
• Terrain Modes: Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock
• X-Trek (crawl-control style system)
• Off-road info including steering direction, steering angle and oil levels

All Tasman models come with the full suite of safety tech, but the X-Pro and X-Line variants have not yet been ANCAP tested to confirm the five-star rating awarded to the lower grades. The entry-level S and SX models wear a front chin spoiler that compromises ground clearance and approach angle but is required to meet pedestrian safety standards, as it reduces the risk of a person being pushed under the vehicle in a collision.

Kia has wisely left the spoiler off the more off-road-focused X-Line and X-Pro to preserve off-road capability, and we commend them for it. Regardless of grade, all Tasman occupants benefit from the same level of ADAS and safety equipment. 

All Tasman models run a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing a claimed 155kW and 441Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive variants use a dual-range, part-time transfer case with a 4×4 Auto setting for all-road all-wheel-drive use. Only the X-Pro gets a selectable rear diff lock, while other 4×4 Tasmans make do with an auto-locking rear diff.

Across in the Ranger Wildtrak it comes standard with:

Exterior and practical

• Power roller shutter
• 12-volt outlet in tub
• Adjustable tie downs
• Full-size spare wheel and tyre

Interior and comfort

• Unique Wildtrak leather-accented seats
• Eight-way power-adjustable, heated driver and front passenger seats

Technology and safety

• LED headlights
• 360-degree camera
• TPMS
• 12-inch colour touchscreen
• Inbuilt satellite navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charging
• Active Park Assist 2.0 (fully auto)
• Overhead auxiliary switch bank

Off-road hardware

• Off-road screen and drive modes
• Integrated brake controller and towing menus

Our Wildtrak test vehicle was fitted with a few options, including Ford’s clever Flexible Rack System ($2800) and a Premium Pack ($2100). With these added, the price edged above that of the Tasman X-Pro. The Ranger’s cabin was a revelation when the current model launched, with its spacious layout, large multimedia screen and high level of equipment. It remains one of the best in the class today.

As the newer vehicle, the Tasman’s interior design and equipment are more in step with current expectations. Its multimedia screen is wide rather than tall like the Ranger’s, and it links with an equally wide driver information screen to present as one continuous display.

By moving the transmission shifter to a column stalk, the Tasman frees up console space for more practical storage. The X-Pro also offers dual wireless phone chargers here, compared to a single unit in the Ranger.

Both cabins provide ample space for four adults, but the Kia adds a simple slide-forward function for the outboard rear seats, giving a more relaxed backrest angle than the upright pews found in most double-cab utes. Clever placement of USB ports for rear passengers, along with other SUV-style touches, make the Tasman’s cabin a winner inside. 

Powertrains

Kia hasn’t strayed far from the proven ute formula, noting that around 80 per cent of the segment is powered by four-cylinder diesels.

Under the bonnet of the Tasman is the company’s familiar 2.2-litre single-turbo engine, producing 154kW and 440Nm. The figures are modest but sufficient, giving the Tasman solid performance in 99 per cent of driving conditions. However, it does feel short on punch when pushed hard, and the lack of grunt was also noticeable when towing a large caravan.

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This is where the Ranger sets itself apart. Ford’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel is one of the torquiest engines in the class, producing 154kW and 500Nm. It always feels lively, whether driven enthusiastically or towing.

Kia argues it’s not the peak torque figure that matters, but how the torque is delivered across the rev range. In that respect the Tasman drives beautifully most of the time. It’s only with the throttle pinned that it feels a little underdone and leaves you wanting more.

The Ford also benefits from its 10-speed automatic, which keeps the engine on song when pushed and finds the right gear for towing. The Tasman’s eight-speed auto performs well enough, but it felt busy with a van hitched up.

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One area where the Tasman’s transmission is well ahead of the Ranger’s is manual shifting. Ford persists with fiddly buttons on the side of the T-bar, which are hard to use quickly, especially with big fingers. In contrast, the Kia X-Line and X-Pro feature steering wheel paddles that are always within easy reach. In the Ranger line-up, only the Raptor gets proper shift paddles.

The Tasman scores another point over the Ranger with its transfer case, offering high and low range, 2WD and a 4×4 Auto setting. From experience, having 4×4 available on sealed roads is particularly useful in the wet and/or when towing a heavy trailer. In the Ranger line-up, this handy 4×4 Auto mode is reserved for the V6 models.

Chassis and suspension

Both utes stick with the class standard of a ladder-frame chassis, independent front suspension and a live rear axle on leaf springs.

The Ranger was developed in Australia from the outset, while the Tasman underwent months of local testing, development and re-engineering to suit our conditions and preferences. Both achieve strong results for ride and handling, though each has its own character.

The Ranger has long been known for its soft, supple suspension tune, delivering excellent ride quality and better-than-average handling. It’s a well-rounded package for on- and off-road driving, load hauling and towing, though the factory rear leaf springs do reach their limits fairly quickly under heavy loads.

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Local chassis development has given the Tasman a sportier feel, with flatter cornering and excellent road-holding. The trade-off is a firmer low-speed ride, where sharp bumps are more noticeable to passengers. It’s a small price to pay for the impressive body control, which really shines off-road – the Tasman shrugs off rough terrain at speed and feels more composed the faster it goes. At the same time, it still provides enough flex and wheel travel for low-speed off-road work.

The Tasman’s suspension handled a two-tonne caravan without excessive pitching or instability, though we’ve yet to test it with a full load in the tray. The X-Pro edges the Wildtrak on payload, just creeping over the one-tonne mark. While the Ranger has higher GVM and GCM figures, much of that advantage is offset by the Ford’s heavier kerb weight.

Both utes make excellent long-distance tourers, and the final choice largely comes down to driver preference. That said, the Tasman is the one that better rewards an enthusiastic driver on a twisting road.

Off-road performance

Hitting the gravel, the Tasman was already in its 4×4 Auto setting, while engaging 4×4 high range in the Ranger was just a button tap away.

In both vehicles, the transfer cases engaged quickly, with no delay when switching between 2WD, 4×4 or low range. One annoyance with the bi-turbo Ranger is that engaging the rear diff lock requires navigating to the off-road menu in the multimedia screen, whereas other Ranger variants provide a simple console button.

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Without engaging the rear diff lock, the Tasman’s traction control proved fast-acting, distributing drive to the wheels with grip almost instantly. In the Ranger, there’s a noticeable lag in the ETC, which can allow wheelspin or even halt progress until the diff lock is engaged. Also impressive in the Tasman is the level of suspension articulation, especially given how flat it corners and handles on-road.

A plus for the Tasman is its X-Trek system, which works like Toyota’s Crawl Control or Jeep’s Selec-Speed. This low-speed off-road cruise control lets the driver set a speed, with the vehicle then creeping forward without throttle or brake input. It frees the driver to focus solely on wheel placement over obstacles – don’t laugh until you’ve tried it!

Both utes are competent off-roaders, but the Tasman’s quicker-acting traction control gives it an edge over the Ranger on tricky, rutted tracks.

Verdict

Make no mistake, both the Tasman X-Pro and Ranger Wildtrak are premium 4×4 utes.

With well-appointed cabins, alloy wheels, rear diff locks and a full suite of features, they sit at the top of their respective ranges. For Kia, the X-Pro is the flagship, while the Wildtrak is the highest-grade bi-turbo on offer. Either way, you’re looking at more than $70K once they’re on the road. The Tasman feels and looks the more modern of the two – which it is – but the Ranger still holds its own when it comes to cabin, equipment and capability.

Which ute is best comes down to driver preference – the Tasman offers a sportier chassis, fresher interior and stronger off-road ability, while the Ranger counters with extra torque and stronger performance from its bi-turbo/10-speed powertrain, as well as sharper pricing.

Then again, there will always be those who make their choice on looks alone.

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Specs